As per International Olympic Committee's (IOC) rule, wearing kit with your country's name is a statutory requirement in boxing – or all events – during Olympics.
Once beaten twice shy.
The saying has no bearing on Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials, who have their own way of reacting to any challenging situation. It was during Vikas Krishan Yadav's 75kg bout against Charles Cornell of the US on Tuesday that India were warned about "not having India's name on the back of his shirt".
As per International Olympic Committee's (IOC) rule, wearing kit with your country's name is a statutory requirement in boxing – or all events – during Olympics.
Even as 24 hours passed and Manoj Kumar stepped into the ring to take on two times Olympic bronze medallist Evaldas Petruskas of Lithuania in his 64kg welter weight category bout, none of the officials, either from IOA or chef-de-mission or ad-hoc Indian Boxing Federation, bothered to ensure that the boxer wears a vest bearing India's name.
The 5-feet-8-inch tall Manoj used his height advantage against his stockily built Lithuanian to score a split two-one victory 29-28 29-28 28-29 to ensure India's second entry into the Round Two.
Though Petruskas did test Manoj with some solid punches, the Indian kept connecting some crucial punches in first two rounds to score crucial points.
Manoj took time to settle down in the first round but landed few body punches along with the use of left right combination punches to test his opponent's defense. Petruskas, on the other hand, did try his best to break the defense of the Indian but failed till the time he finally landed a powerful right on Manoj's left jaw.
The end of first round saw the Indian having a slender lead in a split two-one decision amongst the judges. The second round belonged to the Indian pugilist who landed some solid punches on his powerful opponent. There was a time when it looked as if Manoj was going for the kill but the experienced Lithuanian boxer managed to stay alive for the decisive last round.
The final round was a complete reverse as Petruskas went all out to collect crucial points. He, in fact, succeeded in flooring Manoj on one occasion but the Indian got up quickly to find his rhythm again.
Sigh of relief
It has been learnt that the jerseys of all Indian boxers have now been replaced and the threat of de-recognition is over.
However, questions should be raised against chief coach GS Sandhu, who has been with the team for ages now as well as chef-de-mission Rakesh Gupta about how despite so much experience behind them, did not react even after the first official warning.
"It was pointed out to us and it has been sorted. It is a very normal issue, lot of countries face this problem of their kits not being up to it. In such instances, the organisers themselves provide the replacements," said Sandhu.
Meanwhile, Shiva Thapa (56kg) made a shocking exit after being out-classed by fourth-seeded Cuban Robeisy Ramirez in the opening round.
The 22-year-old, who is taking part in his second Olympics, lost 0-3 in a contest that Ramirez dominated from the onset. Thapa also sustained a cut above his left eye.
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